Days 39 & 40: Petersham, MA

Slept well in the little twin bed upstairs at dad’s. He’s sleeping in the double bed in the same room, so it’s almost an extension of the many nights in hotels across the eastern half of the United States.

Slow day today: the septic tank installer is here with his giant equipment — a big excavator, a “mini” excavator and a backhoe — to finish adding the fill to the top of the “leach field” and then smooth the resulting hill down to a gentle slope on all sides. (I must say… if there is a single square foot of grass left after the septic tank process and the installation of the emergency generator, I’ll be amazed.) As a city girl connected to city water/sewer systems, I had absolutely no concept of how a septic system works, and I didn’t have a clue what a “leach field” was. (Here’s how a septic system works, if you’re interested.)

As you’ll see from these photos below, basically the entire yard has been dug up to install the new system. Cross your fingers that the yard guy comes next and puts in some sod.

Watched some of the Memorial Day commemorative shows on TV — had hoped to get with Patrick, Jackie and Cameron to go watch fireworks somewhere, but dad was exhausted from the trip, so we just weren’t up for it. I won’t offer up a “Happy Memorial Day” here, but I will think of every one of you out there and send my love.

A special Thank You today to all veterans out there, including my father, John Baker, who served in the army in Germany during the Vietnam war; my cousins Eli Hoffman and Dr. Nathan Baker, both Marines; my uncle Roger Falk, Army; friend Gen. David Langley, Army National Guard; and all the other men and women who have served in the military.

Sleep well out there…